Fido Giving First Month of Service for Free, Google Has Voice-Recognition Virtual Assistant & Verizon’s $300 Galaxy Nexus Price Tag Too High?

Fido Giving New Customers First Month of Service for Free
Fido just launched the BlackBerry Curve 9360 and it seems they want to possibly entice a few more customers this holiday season. If you sign up with them you’ll be given the first month of service for free.
MobileSyrup

Verizon’s $300 Galaxy Nexus Price Tag Too High? Check Out These Deals
Now if you absolutely have to have a Galaxy Nexus today, Verizon stores are likely to be your first thought, but chances are you won’t be alone in your quest.
TechCrunch

Google Has Voice-Recognition Virtual Assistant to Compete With Siri
Google may be working on a voice-recognition assistant for Android under the codename of Majel, according to an unconfirmed report. AndroidandMe.com claims the company plans to expand its existing Google Voice Actions, already available on most Android phones, by adding a natural language processing feature.
Mashable

Intel Merges Four Mobile Units Into One, Argument Over Parking Spaces Forthcoming
Intel is combining its netbook and tablets, ultra-mobility, mobile communications and mobile wireless divisions into a “Mobile and Communications” super-unit. It’s aiming to catch up with the portable chip big boys like Qualcomm and NVIDIA.
Engadget

No Calls in Cars, Android Leads US Market Share & Nokia Again Rumored to Sell Smartphone Business to Microsoft

Rogers Discontinuing Portable Internet Service March 1st, 2012, Now Only Option for Rural Customers is a 4G HSPA+ Device
Bell and Rogers independently sell various internet products and the roll out has been slow, but certainly needed. Apparently Rogers customers who have signed up for the Portable Internet service have been informed that the service will be discontinued effective March 1st, 2012 – with the only option to switch to Rogers “4G” HSPA+ device, such as a Rocket Hub or internet stick.
MobileSyrup

No Calls in Cars, Even Hands-Free: NTSB Wants U.S.-Wide Cellphone Ban
That was the ruling the NTSB issued Tuesday, in what chairman Deborah A. P. Hersman called “a difficult recommendation, but the right recommendation.” Her five-member board agreed to a new set of guidelines that go far beyond laws that any states have on the books yet.
Mashable

Android Leads US Market Share, iOS May Have Stopped Growing, RIM is Still Falling
NPD just published its latest plotting of the great American smartphone OS rivalry, and although the report covers annual rather than quarterly trends, it’s perhaps more interesting to hold it up against the previous set of figures we saw — those for Q2 2011.
Engadget

Nokia Again Rumored to Sell Smartphone Business to Microsoft
Rumors again surfaced on Wednesday suggesting that Nokia plans to sell its smartphone business to Microsoft. Danske Bank, Denmark’s largest bank, issued a report to clients Wednesday morning that said Nokia will sell its smartphone division to Microsoft during the first half of 2012.
BGR

Nokia Lumia 710 Now Shipping, Rogers Samsung Galaxy S Glide Drops to $0.01 & Which Smartphone Has the Best Camera?

Nokia Lumia 710 Now Shipping, Global Rollout Slated for ‘Coming Weeks’
It’s been a few months coming, but today, Nokia announced that its Lumia 710 handset has finally hit store shelves in Taiwan, ahead of its broader international release.
Engadget

Rogers Samsung Galaxy S Glide Drops to $0.01 on a 3-year
Like touchscreens? Like slider QWERTY keyboards? Like Android? Like 3-year contracts? Rogers has dropped the price of the Samsung Galaxy S Glide to $0.01 today.
MobileSyrup

Which Smartphone Has the Best Camera?
Top of the line smartphone cameras now boast specs that rival compacts. The difference is that you get a phone thrown in for good measure and making the decision which one to buy is a difficult one, particularly for those not quite persuaded by the supposed 1080p and 8-megapixel goodness that all the top handsets declaim. As such it’s about time to pick the best of the bunch with a cameraphone shootout.
Pocket-lint

App Store Rewind: Apple’s Top Apps of 2011
Apple released the list of its best and most popular apps on Thursday. The App Store Rewind features 20 categories from Travel to Games, and names the top five apps of each category. This year the Rewind separated iPhone and iPad apps, with some of the apps overlapping.
Mashable

Developer Of ‘Social Keyboard’ Android App SwiftKey Raises $2.4 Million

TouchType, the London-based company behind the popular SwiftKey Android applications, has raise $2.4 million (1.5 million) in Series A funding in a round led by Octopus Investments.

SwiftKey is a keyboard app that leverages TouchType’s natural language engine technology (dubbed Fluency) to learn a user’s writing style and try to accurately correct and even predict their text input. The idea is for the app to reduce the number of keystrokes and speed up text entry on smartphones and tablet computers.

To date, SwiftKey has been downloaded more than 3.5 million times, TouchType says.

The company will use the capital to enhance its products, strengthen its executive, commercial and technical teams and to increase its worldwide presence, particularly in the US and Asia.

Octopus co-invested in TouchType with Cambridge Capital Group, Jon Craton (founder of Cramer Systems), Nick Hynes and Carl Uminski (CEO and COO of Somo, respectively),;Richard Brennan (former CMO of Orange) and Andrew Thornton (barrister with Erskine Chambers).

TechCrunch Cribs: Iovox Is Rocking The Voice World, Literally [TCTV]

Iovox is a startup specialising in something known as VaaS (Voice as a Service). Their telephony platform allows companies to build services on the telephone network that do real-world, heavy-lifting style jobs which normally require call centres. Companies which have taken on the service include News International and many others.

I went over to their West London offices (yes, not all startups in London are in the East, incredibly), to check out the legendary guitar playing skills of CEO Ryan Gallagher in our TechCrunch Europe version of TC Cribs. Maybe next time we should do a duet.

Iovox’s latest product is an identity verification product CallSign. This is quite current, given the recent controversy with AirBnB being among those companies that failed to screen users very throughly.

CallSign contacts an account holder via an automated call and records the confirmation of any transaction or request. During the call, the user is identified by a set of security questions and can accept or reject the transaction, either with a simple 1 to confirm or even entering a full passport number. It’s ended up being used by the likes of Ebay, Livebookings and others.

Iovox is in Notting Hill, thusly henceforth this shall be known as “Silicon Hill”. Here endeth the lesson.

CrunchBase Information

iovox

Information provided by CrunchBase

CrunchBase Information

Ryan Gallagher

Information provided by CrunchBase

Motorola Droid 4 Specs Leak Out, More LG Phones Will Receive Android 4 Upgrade & Apple Had A Better Black Friday Than It Expected

Quietly Brilliant Story of HTC Shows off Innovations Through the Years
While HTC has often been overshadowed by its competition, and has recently been overtaken by Samsung for overall Android market share, it had its most successful quarter ever in Q3 ’11, buoyed by the succes of the Sensation and EVO 3D. And with stunning devices like the Ville arriving in early 2012, its success should only be more pronounced in the quarters to come.
MobileSyrup

Motorola Droid 4 Specifications Leak Out
The official specifications and pictures of the upcoming Motorola Droid 4 have been unearthed by Droid Life, revealing a device very similar to the Droid Razr, with the addition of a physical QWERTY keyboard.
Mashable

More Optimus Handsets Will Receive Ice Cream Sandwich Upgrade, LG Confirms
LG’s list of Android 4.0 phones is about to get a little longer, now that the manufacturer has confirmed the arrival of Ice Cream Sandwich for even more handsets.
Engadget

Apple Had A Better Black Friday Than It Expected
According to a 9to5Mac source inside Apple, the company had originally expected to do four times the sales it usually does. By 7pm on Friday, however, Apple had blasted past its original goal and had its biggest sales day to date.
TechCrunch

The Roundabout Tapes – RjDj Plans To Game Reality With Sound [TCTV]

RjDj’s Michael Breidenbruecker, also a Founder last.fm, has certainly opened up the avenues for sound apps on mobile platforms. The startup’s apps have become platforms for musicians, but are gradually evolving into augmented reality mobile apps.

Most recently the company partnered with screenwriter Christopher Nolan on Inception: The App, which reached 4 million downloads. The amount of “dreamtime” (time spent listening to the app ) was over 94 years. The average listening time per session is over 30 minutes. This was not your average app!

Now, RjDj is beta testing a new mobile game project called Dimensions. This uses augmented sound to warp the sound around you and lead you into a game of ‘enhanced reality.’ Dimensions is currently slated to release early in December, so look out for our coverage of its release.

Indeed Will Wright, creator of the hugely successful SimCity and The Sims, is working on something similar, called HiveMind, a sort of “personal gaming” platform.

Meantime, we caught up with Michael’s team, based in London’s ‘Silicon Roundabout’ area as part of our series of interviews we’re calling The Roundabout Tapes, interviewing the largest cluster of tech startups in London which happen to have gravitated towards East London.

Today’s Mobile Brief: Flash for Mobile is Dead, a Galaxy Nexus is “Coming Soon” & iOS 5 Adoption is Rocking

It’s Official: Flash Mobile Player Is Dead
Adobe confirmed what reports were saying all morning: It’s done with the Flash Mobile Player and has now thrown its lot in with the HTML5 crowd — for mobile at least. “We will no longer continue to develop Flash Player in the browser to work with new mobile device configurations following the upcoming release of Flash Player 11.1 for Android and BlackBerry PlayBook,” wrote Danny Winokur, Adobe VP and general manager for interactive development in a blog entry this morning.
Mashable

iOS 5 Now On Nearly 40% Of iPhones, Study Finds

The new OS can be found on more than 38% of iPhones, 30% of iPads and 12% of iPod touch devices. The iPhone’s adoption rate is clearly the most impressive, especially considering the new software is not compatible with two of the five iterations of Apple’s popular smartphone.
BGR

Official Google Galaxy Nexus Page Now Shows Canada As “Coming Soon”
The Galaxy Nexus is coming. At one point on the official Google Nexus registration page Canada was left out, now our fine land has been included into the mix of other countries – this is certainly great news and now we’re just waiting for something official.
MobileSyrup

Wait! There’s one more thing……

We’ve Now Got Our Very Own Page On Google+
Let’s connect! Add us to your circles.

How Phones Get Phished [INFOGRAPHIC]

How much do you know about protecting the computer you carry with you every day — your mobile device? As mobile gaming, mobile commerce and mobile computing in general explode, so do the opportunities for mobile exploits. Put simply, tapping the wrong link on your phone can land you in just as much trouble as clicking the wrong link from your laptop or other computer. A phishing attack — wherein a user is prompted by a seemingly legitimate page to enter certain log-in credentials such as PayPal or banking information — isn’t a sophisticated hack that programmatically sifts through your data or bricks your hardware.

Read the full story at Mashable

Samsung Galaxy S II not coming to Verizon after all? (Update: confirmed)

Many of us were holding out hopes that the Function, Verizon's rumored variant of the Samsung Galaxy S II, would be the latest addition to its LTE lineup, but now we're hearing that it may not be coming to the carrier at all. According to the Wall Street Journal, it appears quite likely that Big Red won't be involved in Samsung's anticipated launch event this coming Monday. The publication cites people familiar with the plans, who also mentioned that we should still expect to see the Galaxy S II make its way to Sprint, T-Mobile and AT&T at the very least. Now here's some possible relief to the sting you may have just felt: BGR is now reporting that while this is all true, Verizon has a Samsung phone in the works that will have "nearly identical specs" to that of the GSII. We're still awaiting official confirmation from Verizon on the matter and will update when we receive word.

Update: We just heard from a Verizon spokesperson who confirmed the carrier will not be carrying the device, and offered the following quote: "We have a robust portfolio of devices that offer customers exciting options including the Droid Charge by Samsung which runs on Verizon Wireless' 4G LTE network."

Samsung Enhances its Own Mobile Platform with the Launch of Bada 2.0

Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd, a leading mobile phone provider, today announced the bada 2.0 SDK (Software Development Kit), an application development tool for Samsung's own mobile platform. bada 2.0 is expected to be a catalyst in expanding the global distribution of bada smartphones, which have already received significant global sales.

The expansion of the bada platform is led by the success of the seven existing Samsung Wave devices. The Wave smartphones have proven extremely popular in Europe, China and Southeast Asia, where consumers have been attracted to their affordability and functionality; the recognizable user-experience and touch interface has helped introduce existing Samsung feature phone users to Smartphone services and application experiences.

Droid Bionic teases boot sequence, LTE prowess to anxious onlookers (video)

That's right folks, the Droid Bionic is back with another leaked appearance. This time it stars in a video clip that reveals the phone's boot sequence, which is followed by an all-important thrill ride / speed test on Verizon's LTE network. As if you needed further proof, this Moto reveals itself to pack dual cores, and as you might expect, it sports Motorola's animation-laden skin. What about the LTE test, you ask? It pulls in respectable numbers -- approximately 4.5Mbps down and 1.9Mbps up -- but as you're likely aware, these speeds pale in comparison to what we've seen on the Droid Charge and Revolution. It's entirely possible the test is simply an outlier, so we'll hope for better scores as the phone approaches its September arrival. Curious for the sneak peak? You'll find the full video after the break.

[Thanks, Tu]

BlackBerry Torch 9810 available on AT&T today for $50

The wait is over for BlackBerry fans from coast to coast who happen to use Ma Bell, as the BlackBerry Torch 9810 -- the first of three devices in RIM's fall lineup -- is now available at AT&T stores. All it'll set you back is a respectable $50 (with a two-year commitment, of course), and you'll then be ready to get your OS 7 on along with Liquid Graphics, a full QWERTY keyboard, a 1.2GHz CPU, and more than plenty of the usual RIM features you've come to love or hate. If this phone's flame burns within you, it may be time to head to the source link below.

Samsung Admire now on MetroPCS shelves, can be yours for $130

Didn't see any budget phones on our Back to School list that tempt you? Perhaps the Samsung Admire (aka the R720) on MetroPCS might make the grade. Launched today -- earlier than its expected September release, we might add -- the Gingerbread-laden handset is being offered for $130 with the carrier's $50 unlimited monthly plan. All in all, it's pretty decent underneath the hood; among the specs are an 800MHz CPU powering a 3.5-inch HVGA display, as well as a 3.2MP camera. It's also taking advantage of a respectable 1600mAh battery, though the battery life is rated at three hours of talk time. Head on over to the source link to do your homework on the new prepaid device.

iPhone 5 coming to Sprint, other carriers in mid-October?

Watch out AT&T and Verizon, it looks like there's an iPhone 5 hat-trick coming this fall. WSJ is reporting that the Apple smartphone will hit Sprint at the same time as those other two networks, bringing a well-needed boost to the carrier's shares in afternoon trading. We've heard mixed reports about an expected release date, but Wall Street Journal sources "familiar with the matter" are claiming that the phone will ship in mid-October. One source also stated that Sprint will begin carrying the iPhone 4 at the same time -- presumably with a price drop in tow. Adding Sprint's 52 million subscribers to the mix could bring the iPhone within reach of customers currently locked into contracts, family plans or corporate agreements with Sprint, making the move a huge win for both companies.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Fujitsu Launches Windows Phone IS12T

Fujitsu IS12T, Windows Phone 7.5, Windows Phone IS12T, Fujitsu Toshiba Mobile

Fujitsu today announced that the new Windows Phone IS12T smartphone from Fujitsu Toshiba Mobile Communications will be available in Japan beginning August 25, 2011, through KDDI Corporation and Okinawa Cellular Telephone Company.

Windows Phone IS12T is the first smartphone in Japan to run Windows Phone 7.5. Designed to be simple and easy-to-use, the smartphone is equipped with essential features, including fully integrated social media capabilities such as Facebook and Twitter, a video and audio player, and a variety of other entertainment applications. In addition, the IS12T comes with 32GB of built-in memory and a 13.2 megapixel camera that is among the top of its class in smartphones.

 

The smartphone, which features water-resistant (IPX5/8) and dust-resistant (IP5X) technology, provides users with full access to Microsoft Office applications including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

 

Background

 

Windows Phone is a newly-developed smartphone with an operating system from Microsoft that combines the design, user interface, and full range of features that are highly in demand by smartphone users.

 

In addition to boasting a simple design with hip neon colors, IS12T comes with a new user interface that is intuitive and easy to use, thereby enabling effortless operations. The People Hub, which strives to redefine the address book experience, enables users to centrally manage information about their contacts without having to launch separate applications for contacts, e-mail, and social media.

 

The smartphone comes equipped with a full range of entertainment features, as well as a 13.2 megapixel camera that can capture high-definition still images using the Milbeaut Mobile image-processing engine. Furthermore, still images and movies can be enjoyed on DLNA-certified widescreen televisions and PCs.

 

Using technology from the PC version of the speedy Internet Explorer 9 web browser, users can also enjoy seamless web browsing-one of the greatest benefits of owning a smartphone.

 

While enabling users to both browse and edit Microsoft Office documents, IS12T also provides access to Microsoft’s free Windows Live SkyDrive cloud service, through which users can store and share up to roughly 25GB of data.

 

Windows Phone IS12T features a compact, 59mm thin design featuring both water- and dust-resistant technology. It is available in three colors: CITRUS, MAGENTA, and BLACK.

 

 

Product Features

1. Runs Windows Phone 7.5

Panoramic “Hubs” for viewing information by scrolling sideways

The smartphone employs panoramic screens called “hubs” that provide users access to the information they want by simply scrolling sideways. With hubs including the “People Hub,” which brings together address book data and social media updates from designated contacts, “Music + Videos Hub” for enjoying music and videos, and “Pictures Hub” for viewing and sharing photos, users can find the information that they need quickly.

Browse the latest information from multiple social media platforms from a single, easy-to-view place

Through the People Hub, users can check the latest information on their friends without having to launch separate applications for Facebook and Twitter. Users can also check contact information and shared photographs.

Office Hub is practical for business scenarios

Office documents created on a PC can be used without modification. The smartphone can read files from PC editions of Office 2003, 2007, and the latest version(2), Office 2010. The smartphone also comes with OneNote, which is perfect for sharing ideas and can be conveniently used instead of a memo pad to easily jot down ideas.

 

2. 13.2 megapixel camera

 

Records smooth and stunning Hi-Vision video footage

The smartphone records both photos and video in high resolution. It can capture smooth and stunning Hi-Vision video footage (1,280 x 720 pixels). Users can also easily upload captured videos to their Windows Live SkyDrive or a social media network.

 

3. Full range of entertainment functions

 

32GB of built-in memory enables extensive volumes of music to be stored

With 32GB of built-in memory, an extensive volume of music can be easily stored. By installing the Zune music management software, provided free of charge from Microsoft, on a PC equipped with Windows(3), users can sync the music on their PC to the IS12T with a single microUSB cable.

Games from Marketplace and Xbox Live

Users can download the gaming applications they want from Marketplace. Through Xbox Live, users can get the latest game information, quickly check the latest profiles of friends, use avatars to participate in communities, and compare game scores.

FM radio(4) for easy listening both indoors and outdoors

The smartphone can also receive FM radio signals, thereby enabling users to enjoy their favorite radio programming in high-definition audio.

Wi-Fi access for high-speed Internet while on-the-go

Connecting to a high-speed wireless LAN allows users to easily enjoy Internet content while on-the-go.

Features convenient Bluetooth technology

IS12T supports Bluetooth wireless communications technology. Music and other audio can be enjoyed using Bluetooth-compatible headphones (sold separately) and car audio devices.

Supports GLOBAL PASSPORT GSM/CDMA(5) for convenient usage when traveling abroad

As the smartphone supports both GSM and CDMA communications standards, users can conveniently use the same handset without any additional procedures when traveling outside Japan.

Multilingual support for global use

In addition to Japanese, Chinese, and Korean, the smartphone is compatible with English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, and Portuguese.

Easy-to-use text input

When inputting Japanese, users can choose between traditional PC “keyboard input”, “10 key input”, and “flick input”. With flick input, the “curve flick” input option can be employed to enter accents with a single stroke.

 

4. Pre-installed applications and Marketplace

 

Pre-installed from the time of purchase with convenient applications

The smartphone is equipped with LinkCabinet, which enables the use of DLNA functions; Profile Exchange, an application for exchanging profiles using QR codes; NAVITIME, a comprehensive navigation application; GREE, which enables the use of social networking functions; MSN News, which enables users to enjoy the latest news in a wide variety of topic categories; Guru Nabi, which enables information on restaurants to be easily searched; jibe, an address book application the enables the full use of social networking sites and blog services; and E-Mail(6), which works with the e-mail services provided by mobile carriers.

Marketplace – delivering the latest applications

Every day, the latest applications from all over the world appear in Marketplace, where users can constantly download new applications. This feature is very easy to use, as users can read descriptions of applications and see screen images when they select specific applications from categories on the screen. By registering with a Windows Live ID (free of charge), purchasing new applications is made much easier.

 

Key Services

 

WIN HIGH SPEED, C-Mail(7)

 

Product Specifications

 

Size: 118 x 59 x 10.6 mm

Weight: 113 g (with battery pack inserted)

Continuous Standby Time (in Japan): approximately 280 hours

Continuous Talk Time (in Japan): approximately 400 minutes

Main Display: 3.7″ TFT color LCD wide VGA (480 x 800 pixels)

Camera: 13.2 megapixel effective resolution CMOS

Colors: CITRUS, MAGENTA, BLACK

 

Exclusive: HTC Puccini in the wild, AT&T LTE support confirmed!

Have a gander. Take as long as you need. That, friends, is the AT&T-bound HTC Puccini, and it'll be the first tablet to hit Ma Bell with inbuilt LTE support. According to our sources, the Android-based slate is currently in testing, and should be hitting the markets in the not-too-distant future. 'Course, AT&T just started shipping its first two LTE devices, but having something other than a WWAN modem would certainly be appreciated. As for specs? We've confirmed that a 1.5GHz dual-core processor is onboard, alongside 1GB of RAM, Honeycomb, 16GB of storage and a 10.1-inch WXGA touchpanel. We're digging for more as we speak, and will be updating accordingly. Meanwhile, feel free to peruse the gallery below -- oh, and that "smaller" device? That's the WiFi-only Flyer that we saw soar through the FCC in April. That'll be let loose on US shores next month, and we're sniffing around for a price as we speak.

[Thanks, Anonymous]

Exclusive: HTC Puccini in the wild, AT&T LTE support confirmed!

Mango teaches Windows Phone to share, probably still needs carrier permission

Microsoft's budding mobile OS is finally learning to share, just like the big kids. Windows Phone's graduation to Mango comes not only with Twitter integration, SkyDrive music streaming, and multitasking, but with internet connection sharing as well. The new feature showed its toggle switch at WPCentral this week, riding in on a Microsoft flashed Focus running Mango build 7720.68. According to the tell-all image, Windows Phones running Mango will be able to share their cellular internet connection with up to 5 devices -- reportedly draining its battery with unprecedented efficiency. ChevronWP7 collaborator Rafael Rivera confirmed over Twitter that the feature is baked into Mango, guessing that it would require a "carrier 'update' to enable." Yeah, we wouldn't be surprised.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

LG sheds light on the Optimus Sol, available mid-September in Europe

The LG Optimus Sol (aka the E730) received the full hands-on treatment a few days ago, and it didn't take long for the mystery device to be officially recognized by LG. Named after the Spanish word for "sun," the phone gained the title for a distinct reason: it's using a 3.8-inch WVGA "Ultra AMOLED" display, which is supposed to make the screen easier to read in direct sunlight and also offers less image quality degradation. It's powered by a 1GHz CPU, runs on Gingerbread, features a 5MP camera, and measures out at a thickness of 9.8mm. LG also uses the Sol to introduce a new power management technique it's referring to as "Dark UI" -- by utilizing less white light as the phone is idle, the company hopes to extend battery life by 20 to 30 percent. If you're interested in picking up what LG is putting down here, you'll be able to do so in parts of Europe around mid-September, followed by a release to Central and South America afterward. It'll also be available in black, titan and white color options. Want to know more? Take a look at the full press release after the break.

Show full PR text

LG DIVERSIFIES SMARTPHONE LINE-UP WITH USER-FRIENDLY OPTIMUS SOL
New Phone Boasts Elegant Design, First-Class Display, Great Multimedia
Connectivity

SEOUL, Aug. 22, 2011 – LG Electronics (LG) today announced the latest
addition to the LG Optimus smartphone series: the LG Optimus Sol
(LG-E730). Running on the Android 2.3 Gingerbread platform, the LG
Optimus Sol offers 9.8mm slimness with a brilliant 3.8-inch "Ultra
AMOLED" display. Sol is aptly named for its high clarity display which
makes content easy to see even in bright and sunny conditions.

"The Optimus Sol stands out from its competitors as the most affordable
1 GHz Android smartphone with an AMOLED display," said Dr. Jong-seok
Park, President and CEO of LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company.
"By introducing a no-nonsense phone that boasts one of the best displays
on the market, we think we have a real winner for consumers looking for
a subtle but visually stunning phone."

With a depth of only 9.8mm, the LG Optimus Sol boasts a sophisticated
design, solid feel and enhanced user experience. Users can enjoy a great
web browsing performance thanks to the 1GHz CPU, as well as enhanced
Flash 10.1. on a 3.8-inch WVGA Ultra AMOLED display with a superior
color gamut. The new and improved Ultra AMOLED display has a two-fold
advanced reflection rate compared to standard AMOLED displays, and
reduces image quality degradation.

The device uses an enhanced idle-based power management system that
boosts battery life by 20 to 30 percent. With the Dark UI selected, the
Optimus Sol utilizes less white light in order to extend the battery
life performance. The phone includes a 5.0MP camera for fast
auto-shuttering, auto-focusing and shot-to-shot. Users can also take
full advantage of multimedia connectivity via onscreen links to DLNA and
Wi-Fi Direct.

This new handset will be introduced in Europe beginning mid-September,
followed by roll-outs in Central and South America. The Optimus Sol will
be available in black, titan and white, availability depending on the
region.

Verizon Wireless' LTE expansion keeps on trucking, 15 new markets on September 15th

Not content to rest on its milestone-achieving laurels, Verizon's trek towards an America blanketed in 4G continues to plow ahead. Hot on the heels of the operator's last expansion, comes another 15 markets that get to surf along at blazing wireless speeds. Launching on September 15th in the western areas of the US, Big Red plans to flip the LTE switch on in the likes of Reno, Nevada; Moorhead, Minnesota; Fargo, North Dakota; Iowa City, Iowa; Canton, Lima and Mansfield Ohio; three counties in California and five additional markets in Illinois. At this pace, it looks like VZW might just hit that promised 185 million mark by year's end. Be sure to hit the source below for the full pressers.

Graft Concepts' fancy Leverage iPhone case is probably fancier than your fancy case (video)

So you spent all of that money on an iPhone 4 -- do you really want to cover it up with some discount protection? Graft Concepts' new case is nearly as snazzy as the handset it was designed to protect. The Leverage is made out of polycarbonate with a matte finish and features a metal latch that secures it to the handset. The case is up for sale now, at a fittingly pricey $60. You can pick up additional backplates for $7 a piece.

Sony NEX-5N replaces NEX-5, adds 16.1 MP sensor, 25,600 max ISO, OLED viewfinder option (video)

Without a doubt, today's biggest news on the NEX front is Sony's 24.3 megapixel NEX-7. But for photographers looking for a bit less power (and a lower $600 body-only price tag), the NEX-5N delivers some of the 7's headline features in a slimmed-down magnesium-alloy body. Sony boosted the NEX-5's sensor from 14 to 16 megapixels in the N, also adding 1080 / 60p AVCHD video capture, a 10 fps continuous shooting mode, a touch-enabled 3-inch LCD, and a maximum sensitivity of ISO 25,600. The mid-range NEX cam also supports an optional XGA OLED electronic viewfinder, which attaches to its accessory port and carries a price tag of $350. We should note that although the accessory port appears to be similar to that used on the NEX-C3 and previous gen NEX-5, the OLED attachment is only compatible with the 5N. Want to know more? Jump past the break for a brief overview video, and check out the rather comprehensive gallery of press shots below.

Sony Alpha NEX-5N

Show full PR text

SONY'S NEW ULTRA-RESPONSIVE, COMPACT SYSTEM CAMERA BOASTS WORLD'S FASTEST RELEASE TIME LAG AND QUICK, RESPONSIVE AUTOFOCUS

2nd Generation NEX-5N Produces 16.1 megapixels and Full HD 60p video

SAN DIEGO, Aug. 24, 2011 – Sony adds superb responsiveness, image quality, and creative possibilities to its line of E-mount interchangeable lens cameras with the new α NEX-5N model. Housed in a rugged, light magnesium alloy body, with an intuitive touch-screen interface, the camera is just 23.3mm at its slimmest point.

"The NEX-5N camera extends the sleek, minimalist design of the acclaimed NEX-5," said Ernesto Bravo, senior business manager of the alpha group at Sony Electronics. "But it's also a giant step forward from its predecessor in terms of still image and HD video quality, Auto Focus and speed-of-capture performance."

Response is accelerated even further by a release time lag of approximately 20 milliseconds, the fastest of any interchangeable lens digital camera. Combined with an improved autofocus (AF) algorithm and more efficient image processing, this results in an AF that is significantly faster than the current NEX-5 model.

The camera's Exmor™ APS HD CMOS sensor with 16.1 effective megapixel resolution is complemented by a specially-optimized version of the powerful BIONZ® image processing engine, resulting in exceptionally clean, low noise images. Maximum sensitivity is also boosted to ISO 25600, the highest among mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras (as of Aug 2011), allowing for very high-quality handheld shooting in low-light conditions.

The NEX-5N camera shoots smooth AVCHD™ Progressive (Ver2.0) Full HD movies with high-quality stereo sound at 60p – the same resolution and frame rate as Blu-ray Disc™ media, a first for interchangeable lens cameras with an APS-C size sensor. Faster readout from the sensor doubles the maximum frame rate to 60 fps and, when shooting at the 24p setting, movies achieve a beautifully expressive, artistic and cinematic feel. Additionally, continuous auto-focus while recording video has been improved and object Tracking Focus has been added, which allows a target object to be selected and tracked accurately via the touch-screen, even when the subject is moving.

Photographers can also fully control exposure with Program, Aperture/Shutter Priority and all-Manual modes (P/A/S/M) – just like the most advanced DSLR cameras. Stereo audio quality is improved, with revised circuitry that lowers wind noise levels, especially when shooting quiet scenes.

The NEX-5N is the first E-mount interchangeable lens camera from Sony that features an intuitive new Photo Creativity Touch interface. Background Defocus, Exposure, Picture Effect and other adjustments can be quickly and easily previewed, applied and combined via the LCD touch panel and control dial, with traditional "photo jargon" simplified for beginner shooters.
In Speed Priority Continuous mode, the NEX-5N captures fast-moving action at up to 10 fps (actual speed depends on shooting conditions and memory card performance), the fastest burst speed of any mirrorless interchangeable lens camera (as of Aug 2011).

Recently introduced on the new NEX-C3, Picture Effects simplifies the production of sophisticated artistic effects 'in camera', with no PC or post-processing needed. There are now 11 modes and 15 effects, including new HDR Painting, Soft Focus, Miniature, Rich-Tone Monochrome and Soft High-key. A generous palette of other artistic imaging functions includes 3D Sweep Panorama™ mode, Soft Skin, Auto HDR, Handheld Twilight and Anti Motion Blur Modes.

The camera's 3-inch Xtra Fine LCD™ display can angle up to 80 degrees up or 45 degrees down for easy viewing in any shooting position. TruBlack™ technology assures superb detail and contrast with dramatically reduced on-screen reflections.

Enhanced by the new Photo Creativity Touch interface, the LCD makes composition, shot review and adjustment of camera settings easier and more flexible than ever.

Lenses and Accessories

The growing choice of E-mount lenses compatible with all α E-mount cameras now includes the new Carl Zeiss Sonnar T* E 24mm F1.8 ZA (SEL24F18Z), E 50mm F1.8 OSS (SEL50F18) and long-awaited Telephoto zoom E 55-210mm F4.5-6.3 OSS (SEL55210).

The world's first mount adaptor with built-in Translucent Mirror Technology™, the optional LA-EA2 Mount Adaptorallows phase-detection AF with the majority of A-mount lenses for both still image and video shooting. The optional Electronic Viewfinder FDA-EV1S, XGA OLED Tru-Finder™ display offers high resolution/contrast and wide viewing angle. With these two unique accessories, user can adapt their NEX-5N cameras to most any shooting situation and environment.

Also new in the range of accessories, the stylish body case (LCS-EB50) and lens jacket (LCS-EL50) help protect the camera and lens from scratches, the shoulder strap (STP-XS3) fits tightly to the body and the soft carrying case (LCS-EMF) holds the E-mount camera body with attached lens as well as an additional lens or other accessories.

Pricing and Availability

The NEX-5N ultra-compact interchangeable lens digital camera will be available this September in black and silver with an 18-55mm kit zoom lens (model SEL1855) for about $700 and as a body-only for about $600.

The new E-mount Telephoto zoom E 55-210mm F4.5-6.3 OSS (SEL55210) will be available this October for about $350. The new Carl Zeiss Sonnar T* E 24mm F1.8 ZA (SEL24F18Z) and the E 50mm F1.8 OSS (SEL50F18) will each be available this December for about $1000 and $300, respectively.

The new LA-EA2 mount adaptor and FDA-EV1S OLED viewfinder will both be available this November for about $400 and $350, respectively.

The new camera kits, lenses and compatible accessories will all be sold at Sony retail stores (www.store.sony.com) as well as other authorized retailers throughout the Sony dealer network.

For "sneak peak" videos of the new products, please visit www.sony.com/cameravideos.

Canon announces PowerShot SX150 IS, ELPH 310 / 510 HS point-and-shoot cams

It's not every day that we see a new camera hit the market -- it only feels like it is. And today it's Canon's turn in the spotlight. Beefing up its point-and-shoot lineup with a trio of PowerShots, the company just announced its SX150 IS, ELPH 310 HS, and ELPH 510 HS -- that last one is billed as the thinnest camera to include a 12x optical zoom lens with 28mm wide-angle. All three models include a new IS system, Smart Auto with 32 shooting scenes, high-speed burst, and HD video capture. Photographers looking for manual control may want to focus on the $250 14.1 megapixel SX150, which includes aperture- and shutter-priority modes, a discrete-shooting mode, and a 3-inch LCD, but uses a CCD sensor. If you don't mind sacrificing manual control in favor of a slimmer body design, the $260 ELPH 310 HS and $350 ELPH 510 HS both include 12.1 megapixel CMOS sensors with improved performance in low light, and 8x and 12x optical zoom lenses, respectively. Both ELPH models will ship in early October, while the SX150 is slated to hit stores in the beginning of September. Canon is also announcing a new flash -- the $150 HF-DC2 -- scheduled to ship just in time to capture bright holiday pics this December.

Canon PowerShot SX150 IS, ELPH 510 HS, and ELPH 210 HS

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CANON'S LATEST POWERSHOT CAMERAS SET NEW STANDARDS FOR IMAGE CAPTURE

New PowerShot SX150 IS and ELPH Cameras Showcase Extraordinary Image Quality with Every Shot

LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y., August 23, 2011 – Today's tech-savvy consumers expect to have a photo-capturing device always at hand that is adept at producing exquisite images and video without sacrificing quality. Delivering these users' must-haves, Canon U.S.A., a leader in digital imaging, announced three new PowerShot Digital cameras that capture beautiful still images and great high-definition video: the PowerShot SX150 IS, the PowerShot ELPH 510 HS (the world's thinnest digital camera with 12x optical zoom and a 28mm wide-angle lens1) and the PowerShot ELPH 310 HS. Built to handle a wide range of shooting situations with ease and accuracy, each camera is equipped with features such as impressive zoom, a new Intelligent Image Stabilization (IS) system, Smart AUTO with 32 shooting scenes, High-Speed Burst mode and HD video capture. The ELPH 510 HS and ELPH 310 HS Digital cameras also include Canon's renowned HS SYSTEM to handle shooting in low light.

"With a strong reputation of imaging excellence, Canon incorporates acclaimed quality, design innovation and intuitive engineering into each product," said Yuichi Ishizuka, executive vice president and general manager, Imaging Technologies and Communications Group, Canon U.S.A. "With the inclusion of advanced features, such as the HS SYSTEM and HD video in these new PowerShot cameras, we continue to reach new levels of performance and design to satisfy our users."

Key Features:

Small Cameras, Big Zoom

The impressive zoom with optical image stabilization found in all three new PowerShot models allows users to snap a memorable, highly detailed shot from a variety of distances. The PowerShot SX150 IS Digital camera is equipped with a 12x wide-angle optical zoom and 28mm lens. In the compact ELPH series, the PowerShot ELPH 510 HS is the thinnest camera to date, with a 12x optical zoom and 28mm wide-angle lens, while the PowerShot ELPH 310 HS has an 8x optical zoom with 28mm wide-angle lens.

Increase Camera Intelligence

Helping to capture blur-free images and video, Canon introduces the new Intelligent IS system in these PowerShot models. To deliver crisp, undistorted images in various shooting conditions, Intelligent IS automatically chooses from six different modes (Normal, Macro, Panning Dynamic, Powered and Tripod) to optimize image stabilization.
Many novice photographers are intimidated when adjusting camera settings. Canon eliminates this issue with its Smart AUTO feature, which analyzes faces, brightness, colors, distance and movement and selects the appropriate setting based on 32 predefined shooting scenes for stills and 21 scenes for video.

Shoot Better in Low Light

Low light photography is a challenge even for a seasoned photographer. To assist the user, the PowerShot ELPH 510 HS and ELPH 310 HS utilizes Canon's HS SYSTEM that combines a 12.1-megapixel, high-sensitivity CMOS sensor and DIGIC 4 Image Processor to enhance image quality in low-light settings. The HS SYSTEM also reduces noise at high ISO speeds and expands the camera's dynamic range to allow for greater detail and color when shooting in darker settings. The HS SYSTEM can also help compensate in situations where a flash can't be used, such as a wedding or dance recital.

Never Miss the Action

Determining the right moment to "freeze" what you are shooting can be difficult in action scenes. The High-Speed Burst mode in the PowerShot ELPH models ensures that you never miss out on the fast-moving or unpredictable moments. With the simple hold of the shutter button, the High-Speed Burst mode shoots continuously, capturing up to 7.8 frames per second (fps) in the PowerShot ELPH 510 HS and 8.7 fps in the PowerShot ELPH 310 HS.

Elevate Video to High Definition

Today, the ability to switch between shooting still images and high-definition video is a key consideration when customers shop for a new camera. Providing stellar video-shooting capability in a compact frame, Canon has incorporated 1080p Full HD video recording into the PowerShot ELPH 510 HS and ELPH 310 HS, while the PowerShot SX150 IS camera features 720p HD video recording. Each camera can optically zoom while filming and has a dedicated movie button for quick access to the video-recording mode. The PowerShot ELPH 510 HS and ELPH310 HS cameras also include Movie Digest mode that shoots a four-second video before capturing a still image and then automatically combine a full day's worth of videos into one clip. All three PowerShot cameras are also iFrame capable, allowing for quick and easy sharing and editing across multiple platforms and devices.

PowerShot Products:

The Canon PowerShot SX150 IS Digital camera

The PowerShot SX150 IS Digital camera is equipped with a 12x optical zoom with 28mm wide-angle lens, 720p HD video recording, Intelligent IS and Smart AUTO. The PowerShot SX150 IS Digital camera also features a 14.1-megapixel CCD sensor and Canon's DIGIC 4 Image Processor. This new camera includes manual-shooting capabilities, such as aperture priority and shutter priority for optimal artistic control that any photography aficionado will appreciate. The PowerShot SX150 IS Digital camera includes a discreet-shooting mode to help ensure a low disturbance when capturing photos, and a 3-inch LCD screen for easy viewing and scrolling through menus. Available in black and red, the PowerShot SX150 IS Digital camera is scheduled to be available at the beginning of September for an estimated retail price of $249.99.

The Canon PowerShot ELPH 510 HS and ELPH 310 HS Digital cameras

The PowerShot ELPH 510 HS Digital camera features a 12.1-megapixel CMOS sensor with a 12x optical zoom and 28mm wide-angle lens, Canon's HS SYSTEM and 1080p Full HD video recording. The ELPH 510 HS Digital camera also includes a High-Speed Burst mode, Intelligent IS and Smart AUTO. Available in red, black, and silver, this camera has a 3.2-inch wide, touch-panel LCD screen, offering fast and easy menu navigation. The ELPH 510 HS Digital camera also has Touch Shutter, simply touch the screen where you want to focus and release your finger to take a photo. The ELPH 510 HS Digital camera is scheduled to be available at the beginning of October for the estimated retail price of $349.99.

The PowerShot ELPH 310 HS Digital camera has a 12.1-megapixel CMOS sensor with an 8x optical zoom and 28mm wide-angle lens, Canon's HS SYSTEM and 1080p Full HD video recording. The ELPH 310 HS Digital camera features a High-Speed Burst mode, Intelligent IS and improved Smart AUTO. The ELPH 310 HS Digital camera includes a 3-inch LCD screen and comes in five vibrant colors: purple, blue, pink, green and silver. The ELPH 310 HS Digital camera is scheduled to be available at the beginning of October for an estimated retail price of $259.99.

The Canon HF-DC2 High-Power Flash

To further enhance the built-in flash of the PowerShot lineup, Canon has developed the HF-DC2 High-Power Flash , which increases the effective flash range up to approximately 30 feet and supports 24mm wide-angle shooting with the wide-panel attachment. The HF-DC2 automatically fires in-sync with the camera's built-in flash and operates wirelessly to capture subjects at twice the range of the camera's built-in flash. The HF-DC2 includes a mounting bracket that attaches to the camera, but it can also be hand-held or mounted on a tripod. The HF-DC2 High-Power Flash is scheduled to be available in December for an estimated retail price of $149.99.

Nokia Announces the Next Version of Symbian, called Symbian Belle

Nokia unveils Symbian Belle, as well as the Nokia 600, Nokia 700, Nokia 701, and Nokia Essence, in Hong Kong on August 24, 2011. Keynote presented by EVP of Sales, Colin Giles. Above is Part 1 of 2.  Below is Part 2 of 2.

Samsung Announces the Samsung Galaxy W, M Pro, Y, Y Pro Android Powered Smartphones

Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. today announced a new naming strategy for its GALAXY range of smartphones. The creation of the new naming system is marked by the release of four new GALAXY smartphone, the GALAXY W, GALAXY M Pro, GALAXY Y and GALAXY Y Pro, all of which run on the powerful Android 2.3 Gingerbread operating systems.
 
Samsung has created a new and simplified system of naming its smartphones, focused on its ever-expanding portfolio of industry-leading Android devices. The naming structure will organize and group all devices into five classes, identified by a single alphabetical letter. Devices will then be further designated by an additional indicator which will identify specific functionality.
 
“As Samsung continues to innovate, our goal is to provide consumers with an experience uniquely tailored to their needs. We have introduced steps to ensure users can simply identify the device designed to deliver the perfect experience for them,” said JK Shin, President and Head of Samsung’s Mobile Communications Business.

Proposing with portals: how really romantic gamers pop the question

Unless you proposed from orbit, chances are your marriage request was not nearly as elaborate as Gary Hudston's. And, perhaps outside of 2008's homebrew Bejeweled proposal, no where near as geeky either. Hudston hired a skilled developer to create series of custom levels for Portal 2 that his potential betrothed would have to play through. When it heard about his apparently not so secret project, Valve even helped him secure Ellen McLain, the voice of GLaDOS, to record original audio. You can check out the hilarious and heartwarming video after the break or just play through the levels yourself by downloading them at the source link. Sadly, unless you happen to be the future Mrs. Hudston, you'll be no closer to marrying yourself off after solving its puzzles.

Google Fiber beta test goes live, bathes Stanford in high-speed regularity

When we last checked in on the Google Fiber project, engineers were busy laying the groundwork for a 1Gbps network across both Kansas Cities, while preparing to launch a beta test near Stanford. Now, it looks like the beta service has gone live in the Palo Alto area, according to a lucky Reddit user who claims to be using it. The ISP is available free of charge to students and faculty members within the area, at pretty mouth-watering speeds. No word yet on when the Kansas City communities will receive similar treatment, but you can gaze in awe at the Stanford Speedtest result, after the break.

Sony's S1 Android Tablet is the Tablet S, due to arrive in early September

While one consumer electronics giant is unceremoniously exiting the tablet wars, after many teaser trailers we're hearing Sony is finally ready to reveal its entry. We uncovered the S1 PlayStation Tablet ahead of its official reveal earlier this year, and after getting our hands all over it we've got more details to report before it launches. The official name of the S1 is the Sony Tablet S, which is currently projected to bring its 9.4-inch (1280x768) screen to market in the first two weeks of September. It will ship with Android 3.1 with an eye towards upgrading to Ice Cream Sandwich once that's available, and just as the company said many of the key features will revolve around using it to control all devices in the home, via the network or the integrated IR blaster, as well as having the ability to "Throw" media to other DLNA-compatible hardware, whether it's made by Sony or someone else. The slate's dual cameras come in at 3.0MP res up front and 5.0MP around the back, while it's also expected to bring along accessories our source indicates are very similar to those for the iPad. In the images below you can check out a wireless keyboard and dock setup and micro-USB to USB host dongle, details on the "TruBlack" screen technology that's supposed to provide better colors with less glare, and of course all of Sony's preinstalled software bringing PlayStation Certified gaming plus its music, movie and book services. What we don't know yet is its final price -- we'd heard $599 previously -- but there should be more to say about that and the clamshell S2 tablet soon.

Update: Eagle-eyed Daniel wrote in to let us know that it looks like Sony is rebranding its video service as "Video Unlimited," which will make it a much nicer match for Music Unlimited.

Sony Tablet S details

Sony S1 hands-on!

[Thanks, J]